Archive for June, 2011

Born in Waterville, Minnesota, Adolf Dehn created captivating landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits illustrating humanity with irreverence, humor, and affection. Dehn studied at The Minneapolis School of Art beginning in 1914 and enrolled in the Art Students League in New York from approximately 1917-1918. In 1920 the master printer, George Miller, introduced Dehn to lithography, which became his preferred medium.

“Started for Washington, and arrived there about 12 o-clock that Wednesday night and stopped in a large unfinished building, next morning we had leave to roam over the City the first place that Kendall and myself made a break for the Capitol, that was at 6 o-clock. Went all over it and to the very highest place that we could climb to on the Dome, I will write more about this building after I see it again, from there we made tracks for a restaurant where we had one good meal of beefsteak and coffee and from there we visited the Patent office but I will write all about that building in my next. Yesterday which was Sunday I visited the National Monument and the Treasury Department, besides Walking ang to dine in on the Fourth of July, but which I think he will not until he walks through two hundred thousand bayonets there are quartered now in and around this City.”

Medal commemorating the 1887 Minneapolis Industrial Exposition, which was held at the newly constructed Minneapolis Exposition Building and featured the illumination of Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The medal is made of gold-colored metal and features an image of the Minneapolis Exposition Building on the front and an image of Nicollet Avenue on the back.

“Dear Sir, The concern in which I am employed are manufacturing very largely, Mens Sewed Army Brogans of a very superior quality, for our Troops. They are selling them to this, and some of the neighboring States for $1 65/100 per pair nett: every pair of these Shoes may be subject to the inspection of the proper officer appointed by this State or the United States at an extra cost of two cents per pair and they will furnish sizes as ordered. The Shoes are made from the Government pattern and are of equally good quality, style and durability. If your State should need any of the same we would be happy to receive an early order. Yours very truly Jarvis W. Tindall of graduating class of Feby [?]/53 C.H.S. Our house has sold goods to your Brother in law Mr Louis Faiver.”

A plaster cast of a bear painted a copper color, made as an occupational therapy project by Erminio Belletinio of Saint Louis, Missouri, while at the U.S. 29th General Hospital, Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota, circa World War I. Belletinio was a member of the U.S. Army 30th Division, 115th Field Artillery, Battery B.

“Please excuse me dear Sir for troubling you a second time. But your great kindness to me recently, which I trust was fully appreciated induces me confidently to earnestly solicit your aid in securing that high position of usefulness in the spiritual welfare of our soldiers.

Allow me to say that I am deeply anxious to occupy this cituation, first because of the opportunities of [?] as a missionary, and secondly because the righteousness of our cause demands the best talent, the strongest nerve and the best blood of this most patriot hearts in the land. And I pitty the man, who does not [?] for the high privilege of being actively engaged upon the field in crushing this fearful[?] rebellion.”

Piece of hardtack with original paper wrapper, issued by the United States Army during the Civil War. Hardtack is a biscuit (or cracker) made from flour, water and salt. It was a staple of the Civil War soldier’s diet because it was inexpensive and, when properly stored, lasted for years. Hardtack, while nutritious, could be exceedingly hard and usually had to be soaked before it could be eaten. The wrapper reads “Army / Cracker / or / Hardtack 1864 / John W. Weiser / Ohio Infy”. It was given to Levi Longfellow, Principal Musician of the 6th Minnesota Regiment, Company B, by John W. Weiser, Ohio Infantry, at the close of the Civil War.

Letter from L.W. Collins to Donnelly asking for a position as a colonel’s orderly or private secretary under Donnelly.

“Friend Donnelly, Mr. Bailly, my Father and myself have been making strenuous exertions to fill up a company from this county, but we anticipate from your dispatch received last evening, that the required number of companies have already been tendered. It has been supposed here that you would command the Regiment, and it was my wish to join, and in the event of your appointment to ask you for the position of Colonel’s orderly or private Secretary. Knowing it to be far from a lucrative position I very naturally concluded there would be but few applicants for it. I dislike very much to go into a Co. composed of total strangers as a private, and yet would like to “go to the war” Unless you return home within a day or two will you write me, informing me of the chances. Very Respectfully Yours, L. W. Collins”

Letter from Donnelly to his wife discussing Donnelly’s unlikely appointment to Colonel.

“I am afraid my Colonelship has gone up. Ramsey told Blakely of Rochester, just before he left, he would not think of appointing any one but a military man. The old “cuss” fears that any one might interfere with his plans for the U.S. Senate in the future. If it turns out that he does not appoint me I will make him regret it.”

Diary entry by Samuel Bloomer, a soldier from the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Regiment.

“At eleven PM we arrived in Washington a drowsy, stupid, hungery and used up set. We were marched to the assembly rooms where our Co and 3 others were quartered for the night. I for one as soon as ranks were broken not waiting for any thing to eate laid down on the floor and went to sleep without blanket, over coat or any thing else, having had no rest to speak of since we left Fort Ridgely and all that we had had to eate during our travel was crackers and [?] and none to much of that accepting the breakfast that the RR Co gave us and what the Ladies of huntington gave us, “Bless them”